Germany’s neglected soldiers forced to use broomstick as a gun

Shortages of weapons were not properly declared to the Bundestag, a report saidALEXANDER KOERNER/GETTY IMAGES

German military shortcomings have became a national laughing stock, with reports of one tank unit forced to use a broomstick as a gun and all six submarines out of service for repairs. Auditors say the true picture is even worse.

Dire shortages of weapons, spare parts and personnel were not properly declared to the Bundestag, the federal audit office said.

Its damning report of the results of years of neglect coincides with Germany becoming the focus of President Trump’s criticism of European penny-pinching on defence. Angela Merkel has been unable to raise spending anywhere near the Nato target of 2 per cent of GDP. Ursula von der Leyen, her defence minister, says that it will reach only 1.5 per cent by 2025.

The federal report…

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